Pols get testy over charter rejections

The state Education Department’s decision to reject all 15 applications for new charter schools has astonished lawmakers — even some who are allies of charter foes.

Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (DQueens), chair of the Education Committee and a close ally of the United Federation of Teachers, was wondering why a highly rated charter that wanted to open a second school in her district was rejected.

“I support the state Department of Education in their chartering positions, but I was disappointed that Growing Up Green, which is an excellent example of what a communitybased charter school can be, was turned down,” she said Thursday.

“I assume they will try again and reflect the state’s concerns in their submission,”

State Sen. Mike Gianaris (DQueens), who wrote a letter endorsing Growing up Green’s proposal, said he would ask education officials to explain their decision.

GUG has “done phenomenal work. I’ve only heard good things from parents and students [in the existing charter school],” he said.

“I’m curious about whether the decision is particular or whether there’s a broader issue.”

State education officials this week refused to approve any of the charter bids, citing a number of inconsistencies in their applications covering their budgets, curricula and overall missions.

Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch defended the department’s decision Thursday.

“The last thing we want to do is open up a charter school that cannot succeed, that we had worries about at the beginning,” she said at a Crain’s forum in Midtown.

“I want quality charter schools. I want quality charter seats. I do not want to create a process that ensures in the next five years we have lists of failing charter schools.”

The rejection of Long Island City’s Growing Up Green, which opened in 2009 and had its charter renewed by the state in 2013, was especially startling.

Last year, 48 percent of its students passed the state math exam, exceeding the city’s 34 percent average and the citywide charter school average of 44 percent.

Also, 32 percent of its students passed the English exam, exceeding the city’s 28 percent rate.

New York City Charter Center CEO James Merriman said he thinks several of the rejected applicants will be approved when the Regents receive amended filings.

Other schoolreform advocates accused bureaucrats of caving to political pressure as unionaligned Assembly Democrats vowed to block efforts to raise or repeal the cap on the number of charters the state allows.

Tisch fired back, “Shame on them. There has been no greater champion of charter schools in a public role than I have been for years now.”

I’m curious about whether the decision is particular or whether there’s s a broader issue.

StateSen. Mike Gianaris (left), questioning the state Education Department’s decision to deny 15 new charterschool applications